Newspaper Delivery Changes
 

I wanted to make sure that all of you were aware of two upcoming changes in the way we will be delivering your newspaper, effective June 1st.

If you enjoy getting the paper delivered to your room at Marriott, JW Marriott and Renaissance properties: You will continue to get the paper that you have selected in your profile. (Now may be a good time to review and update your profile.) We've added a new choice too: if you are one of those travelers who see the paper as something to step over on your way out the door, you may select, “no delivery.” Members whose profiles do not include a news paper or delivery preference will be asked at check in.

Second, effective April 20 : Courtyard, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, and TownePlace Suites properties will have newspapers available in their lobbies .

The link below has additional information you may find interesting about this change. As always let me know what questions or concerns you may have.

http://www.marriott.com/rewards/learn/prgnews.mi

Ira

:td::td:

Just in time for the Q2 promo at SPG to start.

Ira-does ANYONE at HQ have a CLUE when it comes to "welcoming" elites???

That's ridiculous....can't they put a pile by the elevator on every FLOOR?? at least that way i don't have to get dressed, go ALL THE WAY to the lobby and then BACK up to my room....

sheesh.

AND will they have papers EVERY DAY?? or just M-F??? I was spoiled this weekend...not saying where exactly so the hotel isn't accused of "over achieving..." but they had papers (at least in the lobby) all weekend! (Since i had to get dressed to get breakfast anyway that wasn't bad.....)

As for profile??? Updating?? No one reads it....(heck, only 1 GM out of 5 read an email i sent last week....asking about their hotels!)....i think i have local paper marked.....never got a local paper in the USA!

Elites should have the paper..EVERY DAY,......outside their doors! Let the non members/non elites haul arse to the lobby! I mean....with 100-200+ nights per year, haven't P/PPs EARNED THE RIGHT to NOT have to be inconvenienced????

*shrug*

Compared to the cost cutting in my company and industry it seems very mild.

I am sure the flames will start, but changes like this are the ones that as an Elite I get disappointed by, but completely understand. I see many... many papers left in hotel hallways when leave my room. I would guess that there is quite a bit of waste in this.

No problem with this one for me personally. YMMV.

IRA -

Lobby or elevator does not matter to me, as I have to get dressed for either. I suppose they are thinking that if one reads the paper with breakfast, this is fine. I do not. I read the paper while trying to find the energy to get dressed.

Not that big of a deal, but more of an annoyance. In the last week or so every hotel I have been in (3) was already implementing this.

But for you: If you are expected to continually share this type of news, you need to put in for battle pay.

i agree....NOT a job that i would love! please realize that we are not trying to shoot the messanger......just the message. (and it isn't JUST this...its the 10 billion other so called 'enhancements' and/or changes that are annoying!

i too like to read the paper while attempting to wake up!

I get my selected paper (local) maybe 5% of the time. It's probably the least honored item in my profile.

Ira,

A quick question, just for clarification. The webpage link provided states that papers will be in the lobby for CYs and Marriott Exec Apts. It makes no mention of Marriott's other non-FS chains. Of course, your email mentions the other non-FS chains.

I just want to make sure what the policy is going to be for those other non-FS chains.

G-r-r-r-r :mad: :td: :td:

I was at a property like that just last week (a SpringHill Suites, for what it's worth). On Monday, the paper was delivered but on Tuesday it was just a stack at the desk.

The newspaper delivery was once just an elite benefit but it proved popular enough that it was expanded to all guests. Like some others here, my profile requests a local paper but it is very rare that I get one.

Why do I have the sneaking suspicion that, say, a 300 room property will now only be getting 50 newspapers per day. If you're not down at the desk at the crack of dawn, you will be SOL as far as getting a paper is concerned.

If they have to forego individual room delivery for whatever reason, I agree with megatravels in that they should put a stack on each floor.

A more reasonable compromise would be to ensure that Elites receive delivery to their room at non-FS properties; have copies in the lobby for other guests.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/ea..._id=1003961613

The article does also note that CFRST properties are abandoning at-the-door delivery of newspapers altogether.

First went the mouth wash now comes the newspapers -- what next?? Bring your own pillow and sheets??

STOP being so nit picky on saving pennies! Marketing can put a spin on anything, I for one (as a Plat Prem) wants the service I am accustomed to and expect. Bring back the mouth wash and newspapers.

I guess I'm alone here, but I *do* see the paper as something to step over in the morning. I almost never read or bother picking it up. Google News is enough for me.

I actually enjoy getting the Wall st journal while on the rd, I have to go this now at the lounge now if i want it. Some hotels will still deliver this. Most do not.

To me every time a hotel goes beyond what they are suppose to do now, they will get my repeat business.

I never pick up the paper left at my door anyway, but two things:
1) I'm certain this option was there when I updated my profile last week?
2) In the last 300+ nights I have spent at Marriott, I've had my Newspaper preference honored maybe 5 times

I agree completely. Elites should always get their paper delivered to their door, regardless of which brand of Marriott property they're staying at.

In the scheme of things this issue wouldn't be such a big deal if it wasn't for all the other "enhancement" that have come along this year.

I hope they stock enough in the lobby as I do want to have a copy of USAT.

Oh, but now they are REALY, REALLY going to honor your preferences - they promise.

Is it that hard for Marriott to deliver me a WSJ at all Marriott properties? I read them all the time when I stay at Marriott properties (and at the Hyatt properties that have them).

If I remember correctly, we are actually charged ( like 75 cents) for these newspapers in our room rate; with an option to decline it and get 75 cents credit. I have never done this - but if it isnt going to be at my door and they may be out downstairs I think a lot of us might "decline" and that would take more clerical time than just delivering them

Just my 75 cents :)

Funny...I was actually considering doing this very same thing just to prove a point and to make it a hassle for the clerk to have to update my bill by reversing a $0.75 charge. I'm with most of the rest of you here, this is a strange thing to make the call on (and I like the idea of still delivering the paper to the doors of the Elites).

Am I the only one who finds this an acceptable cut back.. its really no big deal to me.. as long as I'm able to get a paper in the lounge or lobby I don't care.. its no biggie to actually go update my profile either.. one and done

I'd suggest the pile at the elevators because if there's a paper next door and I don't have one, I'm taking it.;)

Coming up next....

A new "user fee". 50 cents per flush automatically added to the bill at check out. Those who opt to "hold it" during their stays will not be charged. Elites can continue to use the facilities as in the past at no charge at FS properties.

Of course, at all Marriott brands, there will be facilities available in or near the lobbies for use by all guests and visitors (well...maybe most visitors) at no charge.

There will also be a "stay relieved" package available. For an upfront fee of $9.95 per stay ($12.95 for multiple occupancy), guests will be able to "enjoy" unlimited use of all in-room plumbing and sanitary facilites.

YES I am in!! Talk about adding costs!! Ira how much does it cost each location to check in and check out a guest? If we all want our .75 credit per day after the bill was printed and under our door, how much does that add to the franchisees cost?? Added paper, toner and time! And while we are at it -- I need extra towels too :)

If you read Mr M Blog about companies cancelling their conventions due to TARP and the economy of the USA, one can not believe what Mr M said in the press release that eliminating newspapers to the rooms will save carbon footprints, etc. Mr M, by eliminating newspapers you are helping the cause for these newspaper companies to go out of business or to file Chapter 7 or 11. In all due respect Mr M, how can you say you need the convention business and then turn around and say we don't need newspapers??

Am I missing something here?

Plus One.
I have ZERO interest in the USAMcNews,and yet that is what I find at my door(when they bother)99% of the time.

Last MR stay-rooms on both sides of me had WSJ and McNews-nothing in front of my door :confused:(but I am on this hotels"list" :rolleyes: )

I really enjoy taking my paper up to the lounge on Saturday AM and reading it while having a nice B'fast before heading out to work/play,,,,,What????Reallly?????Well why did they do that???

:D :rolleyes: :mad:

As a general rule, when I hear that a program is either (a) being "enhanced" for my "benefit", or (b) becoming more "customer focused", I get ready to.....well I won't say that...instead, I'll say that I get ready for the shaft, and I'm usually not disappointed. And this not only applies to Marriott, but also to some stuff that DL does as well. When will these companies stop using these timeworn phrases when they are about to take away a benefit? Do they think we are stupid and cannot see through the rhetoric/

Having gotten that out of my system, let me say that like many of us here I have spend tens of thousands of dollars with Marriott. We get charged ridiculous internet fees in many properties. We have concierge lounges that are often closed and at many properties don't get comped anything, breakfast or otherwise for our troubles. At many of the CY properties the coffee is removed after breakfast hours. Now there is the newspaper thing, which by itself I could maybe live with, although on the rare occasions when I can sleep late, I have found all WSJs gone from the lobby. Is Marriott in a race to join Motel 6 at the bottom? Seriously, when WILL the coin boxes be installed on the bathroom doors? I am not blind and do understand that economic times have been tough, but if, as a Platinum Premier, I am not treated any differently as someone without status, where is my incentive to continue to stay at Marriotts? This is the ideal thread for Bill, Jr. to read; if he could pull himself away from his backslapping blog. He seems to forget that many people on this board are highly intelligent folks, who control where their lodging (and flying) dollars are spent. And as such, we can influence others as to where their dollars are spent as well. Why are these things so obvious to us and not to him? And Bill, if can you do come out of the cave and read this, this PP, because of his dissatisfaction has only stayed only 7 nights this year and is seriously trying to decide if there will be a night 8.

Deleted. Double post.

"We want to give guests the choice of whether they want a newspaper or not," says Chairman and CEO J.W. Marriott, Jr. "I visit more than 250 hotels a year, and more often than not, I'm stepping over unclaimed newspapers as I walk down the hallway. This new program is more guest-focused."

:rolleyes:

Which, of course, proves nothing if Mr. M is walking the halls at 8:30 a.m. before many guests have collected their papers. The only truly accurate way to tell is to survey your housekeeping staff. This is basically a cheap excuse for MR to cut bennies :mad:

I don't mind newspaper not delivered at FS. I rarely read it. However I would like my mouthwash back, please?

Go ahead... take my damn paper. But you'd better leave the polar bear skin rug.

me too!!!:cool::p

ok really?? many GMs, HSKP mgrs and the like don't walk the properties....and we are supposed to believe the corp suits do??? the regionals, yeah but in my years with Marriott i NEVER saw a corp peep walk every floor [and they weren't there early if they were just popping in!]....(things may have changed in the years since i split!)

I was at the Marriott Marina in SD last week and saw tons of papers still in the hall at noon, including mine. It is wasteful.

Well, I for one enjoy my USA Today every single stay. And believe it or not, it's definitely a factor as I decide where my business goes.

I switched to Marriott last summer from Hilton, and now I'm regretting doing it. I hate switching back so soon, but maybe it's time to go back to Hilton for my 60+ nights per year.

Me too. I stayed at the Renaissance in Vienna last month. They have discontinued USA Today claiming they have a problem with delivery :) Sure... Last year they stopped delivering it to the door and only had a few copies at the Breakfast room.

Thanks for doing this - I'm one of those who does read the newspaper but see many that are just wasted.

When traveling with your families, I hope that you also use such situations as teachable moments. Self-importance and -entitlement are complex traits and best learned by real-life examples.